Legislators Address Ohio's Infant Mortality Problems

Ohio Sens. Shannon Jones (R-Springboro) and Charleta B. Tavares (D-Columbus) introduced five bills this week related to the state’s infant mortality problems. Ohio ranks 48th nationally in its infant mortality rate—37th among white infants and 49th among black infants.

The bipartisan legislation (SBs 280, 276, 277, 278, 279) would make a $25 million investment in local health improvement programs, require case management services in the Medicaid managed care system, create an Infant Mortality Commission, and use a model of “centering pregnancy” at four federally qualified health centers that would be competitively selected, among other initiatives. The bills could go before the Senate Medicaid, Health & Human Services Committee, which Jones chairs.

To see copies of the bills click here.

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